Hi all!

[Grenzer.]

I'm Alvaro and after a couple of years playing SK, I've decided to go a step further and get into ASL. I also play PC games, mainly FPS. Now, Over the Top takes up roughly half my gaming time.

 

[Robin Reeve]

Welcome here.
I hope you will find good resources and nice interactions.

 

[Michael R]

Be aware that GameSquad has evolved into an almost exclusive ASL forum.

 

[Grenzer.]

Be aware that GameSquad has evolved into an almost exclusive ASL forum.

This is the place to be, then.

 

[von Marwitz]

I'm Alvaro and after a couple of years playing SK, I've decided to go a step further and get into ASL. I also play PC games, mainly FPS. Now, Over the Top takes up roughly half my gaming time.

Welcome!

Not rarely some of the "ancient" ASLers wonder about the impact of SK and whether it is developing into something of a "parallel world" to ASL or if it has any of its originally intended effect providing new people an accessible path towards ASL.

I reckon it does both. In any case it would be interesting to hear your take on that.

Taking the step to ASL is a good one. There is now so much new and shiny stuff before you. And in this regard, ASL is the gift that keeps on giving - no matter for how many years you play it.

Cheers,
von Marwitz

 

[Grenzer.]

ASLSK is a complete game on its own, even though it would greatly benefit from a rules rewrite. IMO, the issue is that MMP hasn’t always been clear about whether SK is meant to be a standalone game or a path towards ASL. There are people who play SK and are perfectly happy there, with no need to go further into ‘Full’ ASL. As for me, I’ve decided to give it a try.

I hope that having played SK for a couple of years will help me understand the ins and outs of ASL.

 

[Robin Reeve]

IMO, the issue is that MMP hasn’t always been clear about whether SK is meant to be a standalone game or a path towards ASL.

The Starter Kits were meant to be a path towards ASL.
But many customers wanted to keep with that streamlined system.
So MMP adapted.
I wouldn't blame them for listening to their customers.

 

[von Marwitz]

I hope that having played SK for a couple of years will help me understand the ins and outs of ASL.

It will sure help you to get into ASL a lot easier.

von Marwitz

 

[Grenzer.]

The Starter Kits were meant to be a path towards ASL.
But many customers wanted to keep with that streamlined system.
So MMP adapted.
I wouldn't blame them for listening to their customers.

Yes, of course SK was originally devised as a tool for learning ASL. It is not clear, at least to me, whether it is considered a separate product line. There is some support from MMP, such as Basic Training in 2025 and SKEP 3 in 2023; however, a total of only 115 official scenarios and a single CG released in 20 years does not suggest strong commitment.

 

[von Marwitz]

Yes, of course SK was originally devised as a tool for learning ASL. It is not clear, at least to me, whether it is considered a separate product line. There is some support from MMP, such as Basic Training in 2025 and SKEP 3 in 2023; however, a total of only 115 official scenarios and a single CG released in 20 years does not suggest strong commitment.

If it is really considered or defined as a separate product line is not really of consequence in the end. It more matters that it factually works like one IMHO.

I have not followed how many SK scenarios are out there or if besides those by MMP others (or how many) come from third party publishers. In any case, it will take you a good while to play through roughly 120 scenarios and the campaign games "Decision at Elst" and upcoming "Marco Polo Bridge". And truth be told - if you have done all this, you are ready for ASL.

While I am pretty sure that SK was not planned as a seperate product line but rather evolved into one also needs to be considered: As long as you think of it just as a "Starter Kit", you simply don't need a large number of scenarios - it was about getting started, and one does not need 100 scenarios to merely get started. With the evolution into a product line, this perspective will change. And I believe so will be the number of published material in these times compared to the early days of SK.

von Marwitz

 

[Robin Reeve]

Yes, of course SK was originally devised as a tool for learning ASL.

So why did you state that MMP was not clear about the aim of the SKs?
It now is a separate line of products, because some (well, enough) people wanted it to be.
MMP adapted.
I see no ambiguity here.

 

[Grenzer.]

My opinion is that, for now, MMP doesn’t seem as sure as they were with what to do with SK. Maybe SK reprints and Marco Polo sales are what end up shaping MMP's decision.

 

[Robin Reeve]

SK is now a separate line of products, for a dedicated community of players who won't move to full ASL.

 

[von Marwitz]

SK is now a separate line of products, for a dedicated community of players who won't move to full ASL.

Some don't move to ASL, some do. As evidenced by Grenzer. He's not the only one I've seen coming from SK.

von Marwitz

 

[Robin Reeve]

Some don't move to ASL, some do. As evidenced by Grenzer. He's not the only one I've seen coming from SK.

von Marwitz

Sure, who said something else?
But beyond the first SK products, I believe that the additions to that system are less and less related to helping people move to full ASL.